Though I talked about them at lenght the last time I saw them, I don't want to leave out the Sidewinders. These guys are the "goods" as far as I am concerned! Excellent no-fuss rockabilly band. You have to see them!

I'm bummed I missed it. After attending the Kona show Saturday night and having a bunch of things to do Sunday I never was able to get away up north.

What kind of stuff did Big Sandy do? His usually rab/hillbilly/doo-wop/etc (at which he's great), or something unexpected with the Hawaiiana theme? I love the masks!

That Django styled guitarist in Exotiki is Jeff Ross. I remember him and John Jorgenson blowing my mind in the mid-80's when they played with Levi Dexter at Club Lingerie and were both just going to town with dueling jazzy western swing guitar excursions (years before the arrival of bands like Big Sandy, Lucky Stars, etc who now do it so well). He also used to play in the later Rank & File, and has played with many other people. He's one of those amazing guys who can play anything, but I think the Gypsy jazz/Hawaiian style must be his true enjoyment.

Thanks to all that came to this amazing show. It was one of the best shows and I had so much fun. Everyone was up and dancing including Atomikitty, Hillbilly DJ Jeff W & myself. A very special thanks to the bands, it's our pleasure to have you play at our brunch shows. Now for those of you that missed this show remember if you want to see these bands keep playing they need your support as well we need it too. This was a fun time and all for free!

Exotiki was top notch and if you closed your eyes you could imagine yourself on the island drinking cocktails, they were so great!

The Hula Girls were fun as always bringing their own style of music.

The Sidewynders always blow me away, so young but so darn good.

The ??? Trio was such a treat, Robert sang songs from The Foot Hill Club days. Songs he rarely sings anymore. I was so happy I could of cried.

We played - Hi-Billy Music, Heaven Is The Other Way, True Blue Papa, Hey There Baby (Al sang this one), I'll Never Let You Go, Power Of The 45, Lucky Stars.... and a few more covers. We only played about 10 or 11 tunes.

And Yes, Jeff Ross is the man. He's way more into Gypsy Jazz guitar nowadays than the old country pickin' he's known for.

Yeah, that Ross is something else! I knew my ears were not decieving me I heard his Django influence. (Of course, the guitar type gave it away, too)
John Jorgeson is awesome. I saw him play a show using only the same three fingers Django would have used.

What I like about this, is the fact that your guitar player can throw that kind of thing in his playing and have it mesh well with the exotica style. I didn't think it was possible, but there it is!

This reminds me of some of the things we (the smoking menehunes) do with Bill Tapia, but of course, at a slower tempo.

If you have had a chance to listen to the CD I gave you, let me know what you think!

I hope you like the CD..it's me on bass and everything else...but the bass is what I like, of course. The other instruments were me, ('cause I am all by my lonesome!)so those parts are only so-so....anyway!